Discussion
Chaps, I have made an error. I picked up, on impulse in a bar, a 160k mile Volvo V70R AWD as a shooting trollop. While she is pretty fun (and swallows a large load when required), she is useless in the rough, as I discovered this weekend. Shortly after experiencing a muddy track for the first time, she just became truculent and unco-operative. Had to leave her by the side of the road and do the last bit myself. She wouldn't even carry my guns, the cheeky b1tch.
Also, she has some niggles - nothing serious and I replaced some bits myself at the weekend with the help of a screwdriver and a hammer, but I realised that this really is a late 90s girl nearing the end of her prime, with some potential health issues looming. While none will be serious, I find her time off for small but potentially regular issues unacceptable. Especially as I intend to leave her outside and only occasionally throw a bucket of water over her for cleanliness purposes.
So, I need a a newer model, the type that likes the countryside. Must be relatively youthful and reliable - so no budget Rangies/Discos etc; that lovely home counties charm hides a malevolent and capricious nature, I can tell you. Must be capable of going long distances in comfort - so no Defenders; those rugged looks aren't deceiving - they're a rugged ride too, and that's not my thing at all. She must be able to take 3 of my chums, their guns and possobly a dog as well; so she can't be too small and delicate. She'll need a hearty constitution, as it'll all be quite an effort. Decent aircon a must, as I like to be kept cool when driving her hard and over long distances.
She doesn't have to be fun as I keep a sports model at another location for that stuff, Dowdy looks are fine (to a degree; no man can genuinely live with an absolute swamp donkey for long). She must be cheap to run (fuel economy excepted - only doing 2k miles a year or so). While I will maintain her properly, she will be neglected for weeks on end (months in the summer) with nothing but a solar charger keeping her battery topped up. When treated with disdain and neglect, she must still come back and perform with enthusiasm.
The Volvo is not this car. She needs more love than I thought she would - she was was easy, cheap and rather appealing in the bar, but she quickly became demanding and may start costing cash when I'm not, in reality, that interested in her after the initial appeal. And by God, she likes a drink, too; especially in town. And her request for a new exhaust at £450 is frankly ridiculous - for a cheap tart, that's some expensive surgery to the undercarriage, IMHO.
So:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1538050.htm
Anyone have any experience of this generation Cherokee, or have other 4x4 experiences they will share? I'm assuming toys, relaibaility and easy servicing. And I prefer them to the Japs, for some reason - well, we all have our own tastes. Any experiences, or alternative suggestions welcome.
My love is my Morgan, and any other car will have to be happy to pay second fiddle whilst accepting casual neglect and quite possibly some physical violence on occasion as ride her hard through a field or two. My chums may smack her about a bit too, on occasion. So if you set me up with your friend, don't expect me to treat her well.
Also, she has some niggles - nothing serious and I replaced some bits myself at the weekend with the help of a screwdriver and a hammer, but I realised that this really is a late 90s girl nearing the end of her prime, with some potential health issues looming. While none will be serious, I find her time off for small but potentially regular issues unacceptable. Especially as I intend to leave her outside and only occasionally throw a bucket of water over her for cleanliness purposes.
So, I need a a newer model, the type that likes the countryside. Must be relatively youthful and reliable - so no budget Rangies/Discos etc; that lovely home counties charm hides a malevolent and capricious nature, I can tell you. Must be capable of going long distances in comfort - so no Defenders; those rugged looks aren't deceiving - they're a rugged ride too, and that's not my thing at all. She must be able to take 3 of my chums, their guns and possobly a dog as well; so she can't be too small and delicate. She'll need a hearty constitution, as it'll all be quite an effort. Decent aircon a must, as I like to be kept cool when driving her hard and over long distances.
She doesn't have to be fun as I keep a sports model at another location for that stuff, Dowdy looks are fine (to a degree; no man can genuinely live with an absolute swamp donkey for long). She must be cheap to run (fuel economy excepted - only doing 2k miles a year or so). While I will maintain her properly, she will be neglected for weeks on end (months in the summer) with nothing but a solar charger keeping her battery topped up. When treated with disdain and neglect, she must still come back and perform with enthusiasm.
The Volvo is not this car. She needs more love than I thought she would - she was was easy, cheap and rather appealing in the bar, but she quickly became demanding and may start costing cash when I'm not, in reality, that interested in her after the initial appeal. And by God, she likes a drink, too; especially in town. And her request for a new exhaust at £450 is frankly ridiculous - for a cheap tart, that's some expensive surgery to the undercarriage, IMHO.
So:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1538050.htm
Anyone have any experience of this generation Cherokee, or have other 4x4 experiences they will share? I'm assuming toys, relaibaility and easy servicing. And I prefer them to the Japs, for some reason - well, we all have our own tastes. Any experiences, or alternative suggestions welcome.
My love is my Morgan, and any other car will have to be happy to pay second fiddle whilst accepting casual neglect and quite possibly some physical violence on occasion as ride her hard through a field or two. My chums may smack her about a bit too, on occasion. So if you set me up with your friend, don't expect me to treat her well.
Edited by Harry Flashman on Monday 26th April 11:22
sleep envy said:
Harry Flashman said:
. Took her shooting
shooting in april? deer or hare?
Really, this car needs to be bought for the season starting in August, for Scottish trips. But will also be used for fishing (not by me though - can't stand the sprt); so genuine light off-road capability to get to riversides would be a good thing.
Nope - absolute budget of £4k.
And I have had enough chums with Discoveries to know that they really don't seem to be problem free. And even at £4.5k budget, they seem to have done 50% more miles than the Jeep; so more maintenance/replacements required.
What about the Grand Cherokee? The big sister seems available for the same price? Bigger, but less ugly...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
And I have had enough chums with Discoveries to know that they really don't seem to be problem free. And even at £4.5k budget, they seem to have done 50% more miles than the Jeep; so more maintenance/replacements required.
What about the Grand Cherokee? The big sister seems available for the same price? Bigger, but less ugly...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
Edited by Harry Flashman on Monday 26th April 11:34
Nobody in the UK likes Jeeps and that is generally because they have a really bad reputation for being crap, which they are. If you can get over that then you'll find they're pretty cheap, fairly robust and as good as most off road.
Can't help agree that you'd be better served buying a disco though, not because they're better but because you'll be less embarrassed pulling up in it.
Another option would be a Subaru Forester. Preferably in two tone met red or green with gold. Bumped about a bit, as has been quoted on here before 'a real farmers wife of a car'...
ETA: I've had two Jeeps by the way, an 09 Cherokee 3.7 hire car and I have a Wrangler 4.0 for desert and beach duties.
Can't help agree that you'd be better served buying a disco though, not because they're better but because you'll be less embarrassed pulling up in it.
Another option would be a Subaru Forester. Preferably in two tone met red or green with gold. Bumped about a bit, as has been quoted on here before 'a real farmers wife of a car'...
ETA: I've had two Jeeps by the way, an 09 Cherokee 3.7 hire car and I have a Wrangler 4.0 for desert and beach duties.
Edited by Hitch78 on Monday 26th April 11:38
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
Bingo. They've even put some dents and scratches on it so it is ready to roll!
Bingo. They've even put some dents and scratches on it so it is ready to roll!
Edited by Hitch78 on Monday 26th April 11:48
I'm sort of in the mood for a "proper" offroader, with attendant elevated driving position and hald decent off-road ability (Jeeps have reputedly always been actually OK off-road). WOuldn't mind starting to do the off road driving thing a bit, useful if my own car could do this to a light gedree.
Discoveries - I know they are the best off roaders in the class. But , every single one owned by a friend has given trouble, and they look ancient, and I don't like their motorway manners. The Disco 3 is lovely, but well out of my set budget.
I nearly went and bought a 2003 Range Rover - then realised that an occasional use car should be a cheap slag; hence the budget.
As for being embarrassed - I hear you on the Jeep. But my other car is a baby blue Morgan Aero 8, and the Volvo is metallic purple. When it comes to poor taste in cars, I'm already there, chap. Little I do now can make it worse.
Discoveries - I know they are the best off roaders in the class. But , every single one owned by a friend has given trouble, and they look ancient, and I don't like their motorway manners. The Disco 3 is lovely, but well out of my set budget.
I nearly went and bought a 2003 Range Rover - then realised that an occasional use car should be a cheap slag; hence the budget.
As for being embarrassed - I hear you on the Jeep. But my other car is a baby blue Morgan Aero 8, and the Volvo is metallic purple. When it comes to poor taste in cars, I'm already there, chap. Little I do now can make it worse.
Edited by Harry Flashman on Monday 26th April 11:57
Harry Flashman said:
Chaps, I have made an error. I picked up, on impulse in a bar, a 160k mile Volvo V70R AWD as a shooting trollop. While she is pretty fun (and swallows a large load when required), she is useless in the rough, as I discovered this weekend. Shortly after experiencing a muddy track for the first time, she just became truculent and unco-operative. Had to leave her by the side of the road and do the last bit myself. She wouldn't even carry my guns, the cheeky b1tch.
Also, she has some niggles - nothing serious and I replaced some bits myself at the weekend with the help of a screwdriver and a hammer, but I realised that this really is a late 90s girl nearing the end of her prime, with some potential health issues looming. While none will be serious, I find her time off for small but potentially regular issues unacceptable. Especially as I intend to leave her outside and only occasionally throw a bucket of water over her for cleanliness purposes.
So, I need a a newer model, the type that likes the countryside. Must be relatively youthful and reliable - so no budget Rangies/Discos etc; that lovely home counties charm hides a malevolent and capricious nature, I can tell you. Must be capable of going long distances in comfort - so no Defenders; those rugged looks aren't deceiving - they're a rugged ride too, and that's not my thing at all. She must be able to take 3 of my chums, their guns and possobly a dog as well; so she can't be too small and delicate. She'll need a hearty constitution, as it'll all be quite an effort. Decent aircon a must, as I like to be kept cool when driving her hard and over long distances.
She doesn't have to be fun as I keep a sports model at another location for that stuff, Dowdy looks are fine (to a degree; no man can genuinely live with an absolute swamp donkey for long). She must be cheap to run (fuel economy excepted - only doing 2k miles a year or so). While I will maintain her properly, she will be neglected for weeks on end (months in the summer) with nothing but a solar charger keeping her battery topped up. When treated with disdain and neglect, she must still come back and perform with enthusiasm.
The Volvo is not this car. She needs more love than I thought she would - she was was easy, cheap and rather appealing in the bar, but she quickly became demanding and may start costing cash when I'm not, in reality, that interested in her after the initial appeal. And by God, she likes a drink, too; especially in town. And her request for a new exhaust at £450 is frankly ridiculous - for a cheap tart, that's some expensive surgery to the undercarriage, IMHO.
So:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1538050.htm
Anyone have any experience of this generation Cherokee, or have other 4x4 experiences they will share? I'm assuming toys, relaibaility and easy servicing. And I prefer them to the Japs, for some reason - well, we all have our own tastes. Any experiences, or alternative suggestions welcome.
My love is my Morgan, and any other car will have to be happy to pay second fiddle whilst accepting casual neglect and quite possibly some physical violence on occasion as ride her hard through a field or two. My chums may smack her about a bit too, on occasion. So if you set me up with your friend, don't expect me to treat her well.
I think for the money you'll struggle to better the Cherokee. Ok it's not quite as capable off road as it's predecessor, but it's still very very good and will handle most that the British countryside is likely to throw at it.Also, she has some niggles - nothing serious and I replaced some bits myself at the weekend with the help of a screwdriver and a hammer, but I realised that this really is a late 90s girl nearing the end of her prime, with some potential health issues looming. While none will be serious, I find her time off for small but potentially regular issues unacceptable. Especially as I intend to leave her outside and only occasionally throw a bucket of water over her for cleanliness purposes.
So, I need a a newer model, the type that likes the countryside. Must be relatively youthful and reliable - so no budget Rangies/Discos etc; that lovely home counties charm hides a malevolent and capricious nature, I can tell you. Must be capable of going long distances in comfort - so no Defenders; those rugged looks aren't deceiving - they're a rugged ride too, and that's not my thing at all. She must be able to take 3 of my chums, their guns and possobly a dog as well; so she can't be too small and delicate. She'll need a hearty constitution, as it'll all be quite an effort. Decent aircon a must, as I like to be kept cool when driving her hard and over long distances.
She doesn't have to be fun as I keep a sports model at another location for that stuff, Dowdy looks are fine (to a degree; no man can genuinely live with an absolute swamp donkey for long). She must be cheap to run (fuel economy excepted - only doing 2k miles a year or so). While I will maintain her properly, she will be neglected for weeks on end (months in the summer) with nothing but a solar charger keeping her battery topped up. When treated with disdain and neglect, she must still come back and perform with enthusiasm.
The Volvo is not this car. She needs more love than I thought she would - she was was easy, cheap and rather appealing in the bar, but she quickly became demanding and may start costing cash when I'm not, in reality, that interested in her after the initial appeal. And by God, she likes a drink, too; especially in town. And her request for a new exhaust at £450 is frankly ridiculous - for a cheap tart, that's some expensive surgery to the undercarriage, IMHO.
So:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1538050.htm
Anyone have any experience of this generation Cherokee, or have other 4x4 experiences they will share? I'm assuming toys, relaibaility and easy servicing. And I prefer them to the Japs, for some reason - well, we all have our own tastes. Any experiences, or alternative suggestions welcome.
My love is my Morgan, and any other car will have to be happy to pay second fiddle whilst accepting casual neglect and quite possibly some physical violence on occasion as ride her hard through a field or two. My chums may smack her about a bit too, on occasion. So if you set me up with your friend, don't expect me to treat her well.
Edited by Harry Flashman on Monday 26th April 11:22
Better and easier than a Freelander off road due to low range and slightly more axle articulation, although they do lack TCS if memory serves.
Should be fairly robust and reliable, as that's how they have to be in America.
Only thing I'd suggest, if muddy fields and lanes are a possibility, slap some proper mud terrains on, they'll be a bit nosier on the road and slide about a bit more, but will pay dividends in the slippery stuff. Alterains just won't cut it as well.
Oh - forgot to mention: Subs also suffer from a similar problem to 4wd Volvos of the era; poorly designed 4wd loads up the transfer box and it pops, leaving the 4x4 system broken, and beyond economic repair. This is happening to my Volvo; most owners remove the propshaft and convert it to 2wd at this stage.
This is obviously not acceptable - and another reason I shall stay away from the Forester.
Also, generationally, I thik the Jeep is newer; want to get the latest tech I can for the (paltry, admittedly) budget...
Anything Japanes out there (apart from things like Warriors and pick-up derivatives; awful on motorways)?
This is obviously not acceptable - and another reason I shall stay away from the Forester.
Also, generationally, I thik the Jeep is newer; want to get the latest tech I can for the (paltry, admittedly) budget...
Anything Japanes out there (apart from things like Warriors and pick-up derivatives; awful on motorways)?
Harry Flashman said:
Oh - forgot to mention: Subs also suffer from a similar problem to 4wd Volvos of the era; poorly designed 4wd loads up the transfer box and it pops, leaving the 4x4 system broken, and beyond economic repair. This is happening to my Volvo; most owners remove the propshaft and convert it to 2wd at this stage.
This is obviously not acceptable - and another reason I shall stay away from the Forester.
Also, generationally, I thik the Jeep is newer; want to get the latest tech I can for the (paltry, admittedly) budget...
Anything Japanes out there (apart from things like Warriors and pick-up derivatives; awful on motorways)?
Nissan Patrol. Do it. This is obviously not acceptable - and another reason I shall stay away from the Forester.
Also, generationally, I thik the Jeep is newer; want to get the latest tech I can for the (paltry, admittedly) budget...
Anything Japanes out there (apart from things like Warriors and pick-up derivatives; awful on motorways)?
Isuzu Trooper/Vauxhall Monterey
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010... Also available in diesel.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010... Also available in diesel.
Flashman, I'd go for the previous gen Jeep Cherokee (the XJ).
Comfortable, reliable (don't for goodness sake buy anything but the 4.0 straight 6). You'll get a lovely one for £3k which will leave a bit from your budget for all the fuel you'll get through.
I've had a couple and never had any problem with them.
Comfortable, reliable (don't for goodness sake buy anything but the 4.0 straight 6). You'll get a lovely one for £3k which will leave a bit from your budget for all the fuel you'll get through.
I've had a couple and never had any problem with them.
Lefty Two Drams said:
Flashman, I'd go for the previous gen Jeep Cherokee (the XJ).
Comfortable, reliable (don't for goodness sake buy anything but the 4.0 straight 6). You'll get a lovely one for £3k which will leave a bit from your budget for all the fuel you'll get through.
I've had a couple and never had any problem with them.
Lefty - £500 gets you a car that's a whole generation newer. If I go for an older Cherokee (and the thought had crossed my mind), budget will go down to £2k I think. Comfortable, reliable (don't for goodness sake buy anything but the 4.0 straight 6). You'll get a lovely one for £3k which will leave a bit from your budget for all the fuel you'll get through.
I've had a couple and never had any problem with them.
How did you live with the interior without shooting yourself in the face, by the way?
Harry Flashman said:
Lefty Two Drams said:
Flashman, I'd go for the previous gen Jeep Cherokee (the XJ).
Comfortable, reliable (don't for goodness sake buy anything but the 4.0 straight 6). You'll get a lovely one for £3k which will leave a bit from your budget for all the fuel you'll get through.
I've had a couple and never had any problem with them.
Lefty - £500 gets you a car that's a whole generation newer. If I go for an older Cherokee (and the thought had crossed my mind), budget will go down to £2k I think. Comfortable, reliable (don't for goodness sake buy anything but the 4.0 straight 6). You'll get a lovely one for £3k which will leave a bit from your budget for all the fuel you'll get through.
I've had a couple and never had any problem with them.
How did you live with the interior without shooting yourself in the face, by the way?
Liberal quantities of good Islay scotch.
Seriously, they're surprisingly capable in the rough stuff and an awful lot more comfortable than a Defender (of which I have owned many). Very effective AC too.
You'll still get a decent one for £2k, make sure you get the facelited one though (>97 I believe).
A neighbour of mine has a newer model Cherokee and has had a heap of trouble with it - the older model is a much simpler and more hardy beast.
I'm something of a sucker for crap old 4x4's. Use them as general estate-sluts for shooting, fixing fences and hauling wet dogs, rubbish, building materials etc. Living in a somewhat rural location (snow uninterrupted from 18th Dec to 20th March this winter) they're useful for general travel purposes too.
I've had three Shogun/Pajeros, three Jeep XJ's, two Defenders, two series Land Rovers and a classic Range Rover. A classic RR might suit you quite well but I wouldn't rely on it, especially if it will sit for months at a time. A Mk2 Shogun might do the job for you. £3k again will get you a decent one. They're very spacious and hugely reliable but suffer from a slightly pikey image.
We had a 3.7 Jeep like the one in your link.
They are very costly to service through Jeep so loads seem to get sold just before the 60000 mile service which is particularly expensive. The service intervals are shorts as well.
Make sure the recalls have been done especially the ball joints in fact if you buy one get the ball joints changed anyway. We had a horrendous accident on the M6 when one of the ball joints snapped.
Fuel, it's a big heavy 4x4 with a crude 3.7l V6 you will get low teens.
It was OK to drive the auto box can take what seems like an age to change gear.
There was plenty of room in it as you would expect of any car in this class.
They are very costly to service through Jeep so loads seem to get sold just before the 60000 mile service which is particularly expensive. The service intervals are shorts as well.
Make sure the recalls have been done especially the ball joints in fact if you buy one get the ball joints changed anyway. We had a horrendous accident on the M6 when one of the ball joints snapped.
Fuel, it's a big heavy 4x4 with a crude 3.7l V6 you will get low teens.
It was OK to drive the auto box can take what seems like an age to change gear.
There was plenty of room in it as you would expect of any car in this class.
Harry Flashman said:
Lefty Two Drams said:
Flashman, I'd go for the previous gen Jeep Cherokee (the XJ).
Comfortable, reliable (don't for goodness sake buy anything but the 4.0 straight 6). You'll get a lovely one for £3k which will leave a bit from your budget for all the fuel you'll get through.
I've had a couple and never had any problem with them.
Lefty - £500 gets you a car that's a whole generation newer. If I go for an older Cherokee (and the thought had crossed my mind), budget will go down to £2k I think. Comfortable, reliable (don't for goodness sake buy anything but the 4.0 straight 6). You'll get a lovely one for £3k which will leave a bit from your budget for all the fuel you'll get through.
I've had a couple and never had any problem with them.
How did you live with the interior without shooting yourself in the face, by the way?
I can sort of see where you are coming from and I think for your needs the newer model would be fine. It'll be more car like to drive than the older one, and probably in the same respect more comfy on road.
Personally though I'd agree with Lefty. I'm a huge fan of the XJ Cherokee. I like the looks and the way they go and I personally love the interior on them. They are proper rugged and capable off roaders and the more 4x4 feel of them appeals both on and off road.
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